Baby carriage



April 7, 1942.

A.' G. FELDMAN 'BABY CARRIAGE original Filed 'March 27," 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet l A. FELDMAN BABY CARRIAGE Original Filed March 27, V193,9 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 pril 7, 1942.

A. G. FELDMA N BABY CARRIAGE Original Filed March 27, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Zwin . v Kr: 9

N ON April 7,- 1942.

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Patented Apr. 7, 1942 BABY-CARRIAGE `Abraham G. Feldman,

'.Storkline Furniture Chicago, ,Ill., assignor to Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of'lllinois Y Original kapplication March 27, '19.39, Serial No.

264,282. Divided fand this 1940, 4Serial No. :333,397 y 'Clalilns. (Cl. 2S0-4l) The present invention relates `to ,baby A,carriages and is particularly concernedwithibabycarriages of the collapsible ily-e,V Y,having an extensible framework and a collapsible basket. f

The present application is ^a .division of. my prior application Serial No. .264,282-led March 27, 1939, for Collapsible baby carriages.

One of the objects of the invention is the :provision of an improved latching mechanism `for baby carriages of the collapsible type .by means of which the extensible framework is positively held in its extended position so that there is absolutely no possibility of a carriage folding while there is an occupant. inthe basket.

Another object of the invention is .the provision of improved latching mechanism which is adapted to be self-latching when theframework is moved to the open `position and which must be positively actuated by both ,hands when the framework is to be collapsed.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved baby 'carriage of the vcollapsible type which is sturdy, serviceable, lcapable of being manufactured at a low c0s.t,;and :adapted to provide an easy-riding vehicle for infants.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved collapsible baby 'carriage mechanism provided with a set of springs carried by the chassis in such manner that the .springs are tensioned when the -collapsible mechanism is opened and the springs tend to collapse the mechanism against the action ,of a latching device.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved form of locking device for collapsible carriages of the type described, which holds the carriage firmly in open position, but which is simple and easy to operatevfor the purpose of folding the carriage.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the three sheets of drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View of a collapsible baby carriage constructed according to the present invention and with the two Wheels in the foreground removed to expose 'the mechanism;

Figure 2 is a similar View .with the par-ts of the collapsible mechanism in the folded position;

Figure 3 is a full size plan view of the latching mechanism;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken Vapplication May' 4,

on the plane of the line 4+4 o'f Figure 5 looking in ,the ydirection of thearrows; and Figure 5vis afragmentaryside elevational view showing the latching mechanism taken non .the plane of the line 5-.5 of Figure 4 looking .in the direction of the arrows.

vReferring to Figs. land 2, |10 indicates lin .its entirety the upper framework, II the basket sup-` ported thereby, I2 the lcollapsible scissors mechanism, and I3 the chassis. .l

vThe chassis preferably includes a pair of strap steel springs I4, which are identical .in shape :and structure and located on opposite sides vof the vehicle.

The springs I4 ea'ch have the central '-iiat portion l5 and the upwardly and inwardly curved end portions I8 at each end. llhe end portions t6 are 'each formed with the curved bearings II adapted to receivethe pivot'pins or rivets I8 by means of .which the springs are `pivotally secured to the shackles I9.

Each `of the shackles i 9 vcomprises .a fp'air of straps of steel .28, 21 of identical structure, but y reversed imposition. Each rstrap '20, .2| has an oiset at 22 vso that the ends opposite to the pintle I8 may be brought close A:enough together to engage on the opposite sides of one of the yscissor bars `23, 24, to which they are pivotally secured by means of ya rivet `25. Each shackle barQZ-U, 2| has at each end Van aperture 26 vand '21 serving as bearings for receiving the rivets I8 or '25.

The collapsible framework includes the scissor bars 23, 24 of similar structure on both sides of the carriage and secured by means of shackles to the springs in the same manner.

The chassis I3 also includes therlsteel rods 2-8, 29, serving as axles and secured to the springs I4 by means of the U-shaped brackets 30, which have attaching anges J3I riveted to the lower side of the springs by rivets 32.

Each axlel 28, 29 is longer than the width of the collapsible framework so that it projects 'at each side beyond the springs I4 Iby an amount sufficient Yto'provide lrotatable support for a rubber-tired metal wheel. y

Thus four rubber tired metal wheels v33 are` rotatably mounted .upon theaxles 28, .29 and secured thereon vby means of Cotter-,pins passing through the axles. y

They vbraking mechanism, comprising the ybendable brake beam 34, connecting rod 35,.'foot pedal I 36, release pedal 31, frame 38, and otherrelem'ents may be similar 'to that. described in 'my lprior -a`pplication,i Serial No. 260,067,1iled5March '6, '1939,

The scissor bars 24 are the inner ones in thisv arrangement and, as they are arranged on the inner side of the framework, they may be secured together by means of the cross frame members 4|, 42, which consist of straps of steel provided lil with attaching flanges 43 at each end, which are riveted to the opposite scissor bars 24.

The transverse frame member 4I may be straight, while the transverse frame member 42 has a flat central portion 44 that is riveted by means of rivets 45 to the frame member 4 I Extending from the fiat central portion 44 of the transverse frame member 42 there is a diagonal bracing portion 45, 4'I at each end.

Thus the scissor bars 24 at each side of the vehicle are firmly secured together so that they are kept in definite spaced relation to each other and in substantially parallel relation to each other at all times. comes collapsed, the other one must follow it, and thus both sides of the vehiclemust collapse at the same time.

The framework 4I-41 also increases the rigidity of the collapsible mechanism when it is extended as shown in Fig. 1.

As previously stated, the lower ends of ,the scissor bars 23, 24 are secured by means of shackles I9 to the springs I4. The length and proportion of these various parts is such that when the collapsible mechanism is extended, as shown in Fig. 1, the shackles I9 are substantially When one scissor bar 24 beof a rivet 58 near the forward end of each frame member 54. The scissor bar members 23, however, terminate short of the frame member 54 at the point 59 and each of them is pivotally secured to one of the legs 60 of the U-shaped handle, the end of each handle leg being indicated at 6I, and the rivet at 62.

The handle 63 may consist of a bright tubular Ametal member of substantially U shape, having each of the ends of the opposite legs flattened at B4 and secured to the additional strap member 60 by means of the rivet 65.

As previously stated, the strap member 60 is pivotally secured to the scissor bar 23 at the point 62, and the handle leg 60 is pivotally secured on the frame member 54 by means of a rivet- 66. The frame member 54 extends to substantially the full length of the basket II at the horizontal, but slightly downwardly depressed at their inner ends, due to the weight of the vehicle and the tension placed on the springs.

The arrangement is also preferably such that when the scissors are extended as shown in Fig. 1, there is a pull placed upon the curved portions I6 of the springs and the springs are slightly tensioned; that is, the springs tend to collapse the mechanism, and that is also ,the effect of the Weight of the upper parts of the vehicle.

The basket II is carried by the framework I0 at the top of the vehicle, and the framework I0 is carried by the upper ends of the scissor bars 23, 24. For this purpose the upper framework may consist of a substantially U-shaped wooden member 5D, which forms a yframe around the forward part of the vehicle.

The wooden frame 5U may have the ends of the legs on each side of substantially rectangular cross section, as at 5I, and the remainder of the frame may be provided with an outwardly extending bead 52, forming an angular `recess 53, which is adapted to receive the vcarriage top.

The carriage top rests upon the bead 52 when it is folded. Fixedly secured to' the lower side of the Wooden frame member 50 on each leg is a steel strap frame member 54, which may be secured to the wooden frame member 50 by means of rivets 55 and angle brackets 56, which are secured to the wooden frame member by means of wood screws 5'I. f Y I i I 'The 'scissor fbars 24 may then 4be `pivotally secured ,tothe` upperframe members`54 by means top, when the basket is in the position of Fig. 1, on each side of the basket, and each upper frame member 54 is provided with an elongated slot 61 nearY its central portion, a shorter slot 68 adjacent its end, and an upwardly open slot G9 at its extreme rea-r end, for the purpose of supporting a movable foot well framework.

A movable foot-well framework consists 4of a U-shaped steel strap IIl (Fig. 4), having each of the ends of its legs secured to a rivet 1I, which is slidably mounted in a slot 5l'. The legs oi" the U-shaped frame member 'IU are arranged inside of the upper frame members 54, and the rivets extend outwardly through the slots 5l, having their heads on the outside.

At a point substantially midway between the ends of the U-shaped frame member "IU, this frame member is also supported by means of a link 'I2 on each side, each link 'I2 being pivotally secured to a frame member 'I0 by a rivet '73, which passes through the parts of the basket and the U-shaped frame member ,'I.

The upper endof the link T2 is provided with a' rivet 14, which is slidably mounted in the slot 68. The foot-well framework, comprising the U- shaped member 10, is supported in a lower position by means of the rivets 7l, rivets 73, links 12, and rivets 14, .but it may also be supported in the position of Fig. 1, by means of a pair of laterally extending headed studs l5.

One stud I5 is provided on each side of the U-shaped frame member '10, the stud projecting laterally to such an extent that it is adapted to be received in the slot 68 of each frame member 54, when the foot-well is lifted by means of its frame mernber` 'I4 to the position of Fig. 1.

Thelength of the slot 6'! is such that the rivet 'II can be slid forwardly in the slot El far enough so that the stud 'I5 will register with the slot 69. The slot 68 permits the sliding movement of the foot well, even when it has its upper frame member 'I0 in horizontal position and the link is in horizontal position.

Such sliding movement is necessary for the purpose of moving the studs I5 around the end of the frame members 54 and forward until the studs 'I5 engage in the slots E9.

The basket I I preferably comprises some form of imitation leather or other manufactured fabric, which may be formed with two layers, the layers containing cotton for quilting, and the cotton being secured in place by suitable transversely extending seams 1S, 11.

The padding of the quilting gives adequate protection against engagement of the fabric basket with the adjacent steel frame' members, and` the provision of two layers gives a finished appearance for the inside and outside of the basket alike.

The basket consists of the identical sides "I8 atthe front end of the Vehicle, the front wall 7f3, and the bottom wall 80, which extends the full length of the vehicle. The side walls 'I8 and end walls 'I9 may be secured and supported from the upper framework by being nailed to the framework 50 with suitable upholstery nails.

The foot wall 8| of the basket comprises a part of the bottom 80 of the basket, substantially trapezoidal side Walls 82 of the same shape, and an end Wall 83. This foot Well may be supported from the upper framework .b y having a U-shaped loop extending about ,the U-shaped metal frame member '10.

The foot Well portion 82 of the basket and the side walls 18 at the front end of the basket are secured together by means of the extensions or gores 84 in such manner as to permit .the upper end 'of the foot well to move outward from the main part of the basket, a bend taking place Aat 85 in the bottom of the basket.

Thus the basket is adapted to b e used with its bottom 80 horizontal or with the foot Well portion 82 extending downward in suchmanner that the vehicle may be used for a stroller.

In Fig. 1 the foot well is shown with a part of it folded upwardly and secured by means of an auxiliary flap and auto top fasteners. This auxiliary flap 85 forms a part of the rear end wall 83 of the basket, to which it is secured ,at the top, and the bottom 8,0 is provided with auto top fasteners 86, which extend through apertures in the flap 85 to fold up and secure a collapsible end portion of the foot well.

In order to provide stiff support for the Vbottom of the basket without bulging, the bottom is provided with a plurality of cloth covered plywood boards 81 at the forward part of the bottom 88, in the middle, and in the foot well at 89, at the extensible portion of the foot well.

These .boards keep the bottom of the basket in a plane condition and give it a predetermined shape. They prevent the weight of the occupant from drawing the sides of the basket together.

The basket is also preferably provided with another back rest board, comprising .a cloth covered plywood board 90, which may be secured by means of straps and snappers l9| .at the top to the wooden frame member 50, and which is secured by means of a flexible cloth connection 9.2 at the bottom, to the bottom 80.

The length of the cloth connection .32 is such that the back rest 30 may be used in the position of Fig. 1, or it may be laid flatly on the bottom board 81.

The handle legs and the scissors bars 23 are preferably provided with an improved means for locking the collapsible frame-work in extended condition. A part of this locking mechanism is comprised in the slots 9,5 at vthe end of each scissor bar 23, as shown in Fig. 2.

The slots 95 are bordered on the lower side in Fig. 2 by an elongated lug 96, but the upper lug above the slot 95 is beveled at 9'! for self-locking action.

The handle legs .B `each support a sliding latching member, indicated in its entirely .by the numeral |00 (Fig. 4). Each such sliding latching member comprises a flat inner strap I0| and a flat outer strap |02, the latter being provided with an odset at 03 and a laterally turned thumb piece at |04.

The rivet 65 which pivotally secures each of the handle legs l6I) to ,the ,upper frame mem-ber 54 on each side of the vehicle is an 'elongated rivet which is provided with a yspacer member |05. The spacer member m5 lon the rivet provides a space |=06 'between the frame member f54 and the handle leg `60 gforthe slider -bar Igl, which has `an elongatedslot |1021 for passing the spacer |05.

The outside slider bar I 02 also has an enlarged elongated slot |08 for passing the 'head .of the rivet 66. 'I'he handle leg 6 0 ateach side of -the vehicle is provided Iwith fan elongated slot aI-0.9, within which is located acompression .coil spring ||0 between the two plates .|-0|, |02.

The `plates |02 are :secured .together by a rivet III, which also passes through the slot |09 and is provided with a;spacer i| I2, to prevent Ythe pinching of the leg 60 by the plates IOI, |02. The rivet and spacer .l I2 slide in the slot |109, but the entire slider |00 isurged toward the right in Fig. 4 bythe spring |10 which ,engages one end of theslot |03 and forces :the spacer |I.2.and rivet I |I toward the right.

The offset |03 brings .the end of the pla-te |02 out to a position spaced `from the end of lthe plate IGI to receive, between the plates |0|, |02, the vhandle leg 60 and the upper end of the ,scissor b ar 23.

At the right end of the two plates .|0|, |02 they are xedly joined by a rivet ||3, which is likewise provided with a spacer I I 4, serving to space the ends of the plates IDI, |02 definitely at this point.

The spacer |I4 acts as alatching member, slidably engaging in the `slot 95 in the end of the scissor bar 23, when the handle and collapsible mechanism is extended as shown in Fig. 1, yor as shown in Fig. 4.

The mechanism may bereleased by pulling upward on the thumb piece |04, that is, toward the left in Fig. 4. This moves the member 4 out of the slot and permits the handle 63 to be moved clockwise from the position of Fig. l to that of Fig. 2, to effect a folding of the mechanism,

When the handle 63 is moved in the opposite direction, the member |I4 slides over the beveled surface 91, and the beveled surface 91 automatically cams the slider |00 toward the left in Fig. 4 until the member ||4 moves into the slot 95. Thus the latching mechanism is automatic and Vself-securing when the folding framework is opened from the position of Fig. 2 to that of Fig. 1.

The operation of the foregoing construction will be apparent from the described operation` of its parts. In order to fold the carriage, it is only necessary to pull upward on the two thumb pieces |04 at each side of the handle legs to release the latching mechanism. The tension of the springs I4 and the weight of the vehicle above the springs tends to cause the scissors 23, 24 to fold and move the handle 63 in a clockwise direction to the position shown in Fig. 2. During this movement the lower ends of the scissor bars 23, 24 spread from each other to relieve the springs of any tension and to permit the ends of these scissor handle legs 6U, and each elbow resting on the upper part of the tubular handle in such manner that the handle is rotated in a clockwise direction by means of the hands and forearms, without depending upon the fixity or movement of the rest of the vehicle; that is, when the handle is so grasped and manipulated, it does not matter Whether the vehicle tends to roll forward or downward during the operation, as the hands and elbows or forearms are so employed that they positively move the handle to the position desired. When this is done, the back rest 90 should, of course, be lying flat on the bottom 80.

The spring and shackle support of the collapsible framework not only gives the upper part of the vehicle a floating action, which is present in the support of the vehicle by means of horizontal shackles, but the shackles permit a folding of the scissors down into the curved parts of the springs and permit the tensioning of the springs so that when the vehicle is in use the springs are pre-tensioned. This prevents all rattling of parts of the collapsible framework, and improves the riding qualities of the vehicle.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim las new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a baby carriage, the combination of a chassis with a collapsible framework, a basketsupporting frame carried by said framework and pivotally secured thereto at the upper ends of the framework, the framework including an elongated lever a second lever pivotally secured to said elongated lever and to said frame and extending beyond said frame and secured to a handle, said elongated lever overlapping said second lever, a latching notch carried by the end of said overlapping portion of said elongated lever, a slider carried by said second lever and having a transverse shoulder for engaging in said notch, and spring mean's engaging said second lever and said slider for urging said shoulder into said notch, said slider comprising a pair of plates mounted on the opposite sides of said second lever and joined together with xed members extending through said second lever, said second lever having slots for said fixed members.

2. In a baby carriage, the combination of a chassis with a collapsible framework, a basketsupporting frame carried by said framework and pivotally secured thereto at the upper ends of the framework, the framework including an elongated lever. a second lever pivotally secured to said elongated lever and to said frame and extending beyond said frame and secured to a handle, said elongated lever overlapping said second lever, a latching notch carried by the end of said overlapping portion of said elongated lever, a slider carried by said second lever and having a transverse shoulder for engaging in said notch, and spring means engaging said second lever and said slider for urging said shoulder into said notch, said slider comprising a pair of plates mounted on the opposite sides of said second lever and joined'together with fixed members extending through said second lever, said second lever having slots for said iixed members, one of said slots being provided with a spring confined between said plates in said slot for engaging one of said fixed members to urge said slider into latching engagement in said notch.

3. In a latching mechanism for the collapsible framework of a baby carriage, the combination of a pair of metal levers pivotally secured together, the rst of said levers overlapping the second of said levers, the first of said levers having its end formed with a latching notch, a slider carried by the other of said levers and comprising a pair of plates slidably mounted on the opposite sides of said second lever, said plates being joined by rivets passing through slots in said second lever, spacers carried by said rivets in said slots and engaging the inner surfaces of said plates to prevent the binding of said plates on said second lever, one of said spacers serving as a latching shoulder for engaging in said notch.

4, In a latching mechanism for the collapsible framework of a baby carriage, the combination of a pair of metal levers pivotally secured together, the first of said levers overlapping the second of said levers, the first of said levers having its end formed with a latching notch, a slider carried by the other of said levers and comprising a pair of plates slidably mounted on the opposite sides of said second lever, said plates being joined by rivets passing through slots in said second lever, spacers carried by said rivets in said slots and engaging the inner surfaces of said plates to prevent the binding of said plates on said second lever, one of said spacers serving as a latching shoulder for engaging in said notch, one of the slots in said second lever being elongated, and compression spring means located in said elongated slot and engaging one of said spacers for urging said slider into the latching position.

5. In a latching mechanism for the collapsible framework of a baby carriage, the combination of a pair of metal levers pivotally secured together, the first of said levers overlapping the second of vsaid levers, the first of said levers having its end formed with a latching notch, a slider carried by the other of said levers and comprising a pair of plates slidably mounted on the opposite sides of said second lever, said plates being joined by rivets passing through slots in said second lever, spacers carried by said rivets in said slots and engaging the inner surfaces of said plates to prevent the binding of said plates on said second lever, one of said spacers serving as a latching shoulder for engaging in said notch, one of the slots in said second lever being elongated, and compression spring means located in said elongated slot and engaging one of said spacers for urging said slider into the latching position, the leading surface on the end of said rst lever approaching said notch being beveled to cam the slider backward against said spring for automatic latching on predetermined movement of said levers, one of said plates being formed with a laterally projecting finger piece for use in withdrawing said slider, one of said plates being odset at one end to space the plates suiciently to receive the two overlapping levers between them.

ABRAHAM G. FELDMAN. 

